Hippo saves gnu from crocodile attack, dramatic scene caught on video

The dramatic scene of a hippo coming to the rescue of a gnu just surfaced on the web.

In the video, the gnu can be seen getting bit by a crocodile. A group of hippos are watching and one frees the gnu from the crocodile’s clutches. Then, it helps the gnu reach land.

The Daily Mail, which first posted the video this week, reports that it was taken by Israeli photographer Vadim Onishchenko while he was on a safari in Kenya. The scene shocked viewers and will still surprise anyone who watches the video.

“It was an incredible moment, the hippo actually tried to push it out of the water and then guarded the gnu to prevent the crocs getting close,” Onishchenko told the Daily Mail. “I have heard of cases where the animals instinct is to protect the other species, I think the hippos parental instincts took over.”

Onishchenko explained that hippos are not afraid of crocodiles and it’s probably the only animal that strikes fear in crocodiles. Still, it’s not really clear what influenced the hippo to push off the crocodile and then chase it away. The hippo then went back to the gnu to help it reach the shore, notes Yahoo News.

“It was certainly an unforgettable moment, I feel honoured to have seen such a spectacle,” Onishchenko said.